Eastern Conference

By The Associated Press

No. 2 Miami Heat (54-28) vs. No. 7 Charlotte Bobcats (43-39) Game 1: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, KMGH-7 Season series: Heat, 4-0 Story line: Miami isn’t exactly rolling in its quest to win a third consecutive NBA title. The Heat didn’t get the No. 1 seed in the East and has lost 14 of its past 25 games since that 61-point explosion by LeBron James. The Bobcats went 7-59 two years ago, 21-61 last season and more than doubled that win total this season, so they know there’s no pressure on them. Key matchup: James vs. Al Jefferson. They won’t be guarding each other much, but James will have to keep the pressure on Charlotte’s 6-foot-10, 289-pound go-to guy. X factor: Dwyane Wade. He missed about one-third of the season because of injuries and maintenance. The veteran guard from Marquette needs to be great for Miami to win it all again, and he knows that. Prediction: Heat in five No. 4 Chicago Bulls (48-34) vs. No. 5 Washington Wizards (44-38) Game 1: 5 p.m. Sunday, TNT Season series: Wizards, 2-1 Story line: Welcome to the matchup of surprises. The Bulls started 9-16, lost star guard Derrick Rose to another injury, traded Luol Deng and seemed to be shutting down for the season. But someone forgot to tell the Bulls that part of the plan, and they finished with an East-best 36-16 record since Jan. 1. Washington is in the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Key matchup: Backcourt vs. backcourt. Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau has a strong corps of guards to choose from. Kirk Hinrich, Jimmy Butler and D.J. Augustin have been great for the Bulls. Washington will counter with John Wall and Bradley Beal. X factor: Taj Gibson. He can be a big spark off the bench, and the Bulls are a club that feasts off getting a bonus influx of energy every now and then. Prediction: Bulls in six